7 Customer Reviews

Sticking to the Zeiss

SEL1635GM 08/02/2018 by Stormyseas (USA)

I have the Vario-Tessar 16-35 and love it but thought that this would be a nice upgrade.
It's not. The quality is noticeably less than the Zeiss lens, in more shots than I care to think about. I took it on a recent overseas travel trip and after going through the pictures am kicking myself for not sticking to what I knew was amazing.
If the price were lower, perhaps it would be a better fit for some, but at it's current price it's.. not reasonable.

Super lens

SEL1635GM 05/09/2017 by pheel (USA)

Bought this on release after wanting it for so long to pair with my A7Rii. It is a full stop faster than the Sony/Zeiss 16-35mm f/4 and the benefits are tremendous. Better low light and action performance and OSS is not really necessary or beneficial on the newer bodies that have IBIS. Focus hold button that can be reprogrammed for several other functions (but not as many as a programmable camera button) is useful too. No zoom lock button like the longer/heavier 24-70mm 2.8 GM but doesn't need it as the barrel does not extend when held upside down (at least not now!).
This lens, at least my copy, is very sharp from the center to the edges and pictures look so much better than the Zony. Bokeh looks nice at 35mm wide open. But what really makes a huge difference is how relatively compact this lens is. Slightly smaller and lighter than the Zeiss 35mm f1.4 (distagon) but seems smaller due to the design somehow.
The build does not have a metal external barrel but it looks and feels better than the Zony 16-35mm f4 and the 35mm f/1.4. I sold both both of those lenses as this is my new primary walkabout lens (as my Canon 16-35mm f/2.8 II was when I shot Canon). Amazin lens and only negative is the somewhat exhorbitant price as all camera/lens makers shift towards pro prices as smartphones continue to destroy the DSLR/mirrorless market like they did with PAS.

Incredible

SEL1635GM 20/08/2017 by Rundepot (USA)

I Shoot with the A7Rll the Image quality is absolutely amazing never expected a wide angle zoom to be this good I also have the 24-70F2.8GM but this lens blew me away if you don't already own it you should it's that good at all FStops here are some sample photos to demonstrate the amount of cropping you're able to do shot at 35mm F2.8 1/60 ISO400 the photograph of the barn was taken with 24-70 GM another incredible lens 70mm F11 1/6sec ISO50